Alex Singleton is part of the Daily Telegraph's leader-writing team and is a contributing editor at the Sunday Telegraph. You can visit his personal site and follow him on Twitter.

We need more Cobdens in politics

On this day in 1846 the Commons voted to repeal the Corn Laws. These pernicious agricultural tariffs, which caused hunger among Britain's poor, were removed as a result of tireless campaigning by an MP, Richard Cobden.

Cobden wasn't someone who used "public service" to line his own pockets. The anti-Corn Law campaign led to his bankruptcy, as he neglected his business interests to fight against a particularly pernicious form of protectionism, which had caused hunger among the poor. The public, grateful for his public service, raised a public subscription to enable him to buy back his childhood home.

Combined with his achievement of an Anglo-French free trade agreement, Cobden created a golden era of free trade, massively increasing prosperity in Britain and abroad.

I'm trying to think of any politician after Thatcher who has come even close to his greatness. Any ideas?